ALBURY-WODONGA ENDOSCOPY CLINIC AND DAY SURGERY
The Hon. ELAINE NILE [4.52]: I read from a letter sent to a doctor from the Albury Wodonga Endoscopy Clinic. The letterhead also contains a heading, "Albury Day Surgery". The heading at the top of the letter is, "Termination of Pregnancy". The letter stated:
We established a clinic service on a regular basis to try and improve the current service and especially allow access to termination of pregnancy at an earlier gestation.
The morbidity from the operation is very low when the procedure is performed in a proper centre at 6-9 weeks gestation (from first day of last menstrual period).
An appointment can be made for termination of pregnancy patients by telephoning Albury Day Surgery and the patient will be given the next available appointment to see one of the three Gynaecologists that week with the operation being performed several days later.
If the patient has a long distance to travel, it is possible to arrange a morning appointment and same day procedure if fasted from 5 a.m.
All patients are expected to have the following performed prior to the appointment:
1) Blood Group
2) Cervical Smear
3) Cervical swab for a) Chlamydia
b) Micro & culture
Please forward a copy of these results to the Albury Day Surgery.
COUNSELLING will be offered to all patients and insisted on for some patients.
* COSTS Initial consultation $65.00, Medicare rebate $52.50 (104)
* HOSPITAL If patient is covered by Private Health Insurance there will be no out of pocket expenses.
If patient is uninsured - $400 cash is to be paid at the time of admission
* SURGEON Medicare and health fund rebate only - $120 (154)
* ANAESTHETIST To be paid on admission to Day Surgery, $115 cash - Medicare rebate $72.50.
Any further queries can be answered by contacting the Albury Day Surgery . . .
The phone number is included. I ask the Attorney General to refer the practices of this and similar centres in Sydney and Tweed Heads to the Medical Complaints Tribunal for investigation and other action.